Paul Byrd Rumors

Red Sox Offer Arb To Varitek, Byrd

According to WEEI's Alex Speier, the Red Sox offered arbitration to Jason Varitek (Type A) and Paul Byrd (Type B). They were both borderline cases, and it seems that either player could go either way on deciding whether to accept. Amalie Benjamin, though, finds both unlikely to accept. What do you think - can Varitek and Byrd find multiyear deals elsewhere?   Continue Reading

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Pirates Rumors: Wilson, Paulino, Byrd

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is back on the scene to get us up to speed with the latest Pirates rumors. Let's start with the team's five veteran trade candidates: Jack Wilson: The Tigers and Dodgers are said to be the main suitors. The problem is that neither team wants to send the Pirates top prospects while paying all of the $7.85MM Wilson has coming. Additionally, the Pirates do not view Dodgers shortstop prospect Chin-Lung Hu as a possible trade centerpiece. The Bucs have spoken to at least two other clubs about Wilson, but Kovacevic rejects the previously reported...   Continue Reading

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Braves Rumors: Hampton, Ludwick, Burnett

Braves GM Frank Wren chatted with fans on MLB.com today and David O'Brien has some new Braves rumors as well. Wren told O'Brien that the Braves have had "a number of conversations" with Mike Hampton about keeping him in Atlanta. In his MLB.com chat, Wren said he thinks Hampton is still a "very good pitcher." O'Brien says that talks with the Cardinals about Ryan Ludwick "aren't dead." Wren doesn't comment when asked about Ludwick in the chat, but that is in itself something of a statement. O'Brien says that if Atlanta can't trade for Ludwick, Raul Ibanez would be an...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Putz, Manny, Lackey, Ibanez

Let's take a look at the latest column from ESPN's Jayson Stark. Stark does the math and finds 15 potentially available closers versus six clubs in the market for one. Should result in a few bargains or teams holding on to their surpluses. The Mets don't seem willing to extend to four years for Francisco Rodriguez. Stark says J.J. Putz would become the Mets' top closer target if he's made available. MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone wrote a few days ago that the Mets are likely to trade for a reliever with closing experience before attempting to sign one. J.P. Ricciardi quote:...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Rumors: Bay, Tazawa, Kawakami, Lugo

Collecting today's Red Sox rumors and links... Nick Cafardo says the Red Sox did not meet with C.C. Sabathia's agent and he doesn't appear to be in their plans. The Sox are eyeing southpaw reliever Billy Traber, according to WEEI's Alex Speier. Scott Boras believes Derek Lowe would be a good fit in Boston or New York. Nick Cafardo says Lowe would like to return to Boston, maybe even at a slight discount. Jason Bay's agents say he's loving Boston and is open to a contract extension. When asked about the possibility of Manny Ramirez signing with the Yankees, Red...   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Sabathia, Dunn, Huff, Mora

Hot off the press from SI.com's Jon Heyman: An executive who knows C.C. Sabathia well told Heyman the pitcher's first choice in free agency is the Giants. It's not a great fit, as starting pitching is the Giants' strength and Sabathia would add another $100MM+ contract to their rotation. The Yankees are considered the offseason frontrunners for Sabathia, though former teammate Casey Blake sees C.C. in Dodger blue. Heyman believes a claim on Paul Byrd would've made sense for the Yanks. Heyman agrees with the Dodgers' choice not to risk a claim on Adam Dunn. That decision is tough to...   Continue Reading

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Players Who Cleared Waivers

I will make this post a permanent sidebar link. This is a running list of players who have cleared waivers, based on published reports. Once a player clears waivers, he can be traded to any team (barring a no-trade clause). Updated 8-25-08 at 9:00am. Latest to clear in red. Paul Byrd - Byrd cleared waivers, but then was traded to the Red Sox. They were the only team willing to pay his remaining $2MM. Frank Catalanotto - Catalanotto, 34, is hitting .272/.337/.389 in 267 plate appearances. He's played first base and left field this year. He's not helpful against lefthanded...   Continue Reading

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Week In Review: 8/10 - 8/16

Taking a look back at this week's happenings here on MLBTR... The biggest move of the month was the Diamondbacks' acquisition of slugger Adam Dunn for Dallas Buck, Micah Owings, and Wilkin Castillo. I can't remember any August trades of this magnitude. Bronson Arroyo told the media Dunn would be seeking over $100MM this offseason; Dunn denied the report wholeheartedly. I'd be surprised to see him get $100MM, but I also certainly don't think it would be the worst signing we've seen in the past few offseasons. The Red Sox acquired Paul Byrd from the Indians. Boston will pay the...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Acquire Paul Byrd

THURSDAY: Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald heard that the Indians will not receive a player in return for Byrd. The Indians made the deal because the Red Sox were the only team willing to take on the full $2MM+ owed to Byrd. TUESDAY: According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox acquired starter Paul Byrd today for a player to be named later or cash. Byrd, 37, has a 4.53 ERA in 131 innings this year. He relies on pinpoint control and has strung together five solid starts. Many are asking why the Yankees passed on...   Continue Reading

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White Sox Not Pursuing Washburn

TUESDAY, 9:30am: De Luca's latest article confirms Chicago's lack of interest in Washburn. De Luca says Washburn has "passed through waivers," by the way. MONDAY, 10:22pm: Kenny Williams' comments to MLB.com's Scott Merkin seem to indicate a lack of interest in Washburn. 9:48am: According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, the White Sox are pursuing Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn as a replacement for Jose Contreras. Contreras may be out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times heard from team sources on Saturday that Washburn cleared waivers. Based on the Yankees rumors...   Continue Reading

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Keith Law's Latest: Players On The Move

Keith Law drops some science on some big name players that could still be on the move if they clear waivers. To wit: Paul Byrd: Law argues that Byrd would be better served pitching in the National League where a "finesse" hurler like him would have an easier time. Byrd was a Type B free agent in 2007, which means he could slip to non-compensation status this year, an incentive for the Indians to try and trade him if he clears waivers. Greg Maddux: The Bulldog will only waive his no-trade clause for a team on the West Coast, meaning...   Continue Reading

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Rockies Rumors: Fuentes, Redding, Fogg, Byrd

1:38pm: Jayson Stark says Fuentes is staying put. A little more than an hour left til the deadline. 9:33am: Mark Zuckerman of the Washington Times says the Nationals are leaning toward keeping Redding, and have even had preliminary extension talks with him. Trades of Paul Lo Duca, Odalis Perez, and Felipe Lopez are also unlikely. THURSDAY, 8:31am: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post indicates the Rockies want to keep Fuentes. He says they're looking at starters such as Tim Redding, Josh Fogg, and Paul Byrd. Redding's stock dropped last night with an ugly start. WEDNESDAY, 9:12pm: On Sunday, Rockies...   Continue Reading

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Yankees Not Eyeing Byrd, Washburn?

12:31pm: Joel Sherman does not agree - he says multiple sources shot down the Byrd idea. Byrd could end up traded in August. Sherman considers the Jarrod Washburn talks dormant, but Jon Heyman does not agree. 12:02pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees are "kicking around" Paul Byrd as an option. Names have yet to be exchanged. The Rockies have just mild interest in the 37 year-old righty.   Continue Reading

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Dodgers Interested In Maddux, Byrd

9:28pm: Rosenthal says Maddux's salary may pose a problem - the Dodgers don't want to take it on while the Padres want to shed it. He's still owed about $3.3MM. 5:28pm: The Dodgers have their eye on Greg Maddux as well, according to Buster Olney. Names are being exchanged. 3:43pm: From Ken Davidoff of Newsday: The Indians are likely to trade starting pitcher Paul Byrd, with the Dodgers among the reported suitors. The interest is surprising; the Dodgers were not thought to be after starting pitching. Byrd has about $2.7MM left on his contract and carries a 4.93 ERA in...   Continue Reading

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Graziano's Latest: Dunn, Putz, Laird

Time to check in with Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger. Graziano calls Adam Dunn "the man without a rumor." Even with his flaws this one is hard to figure out. [UPDATE: SI.com's Jon Heyman is finally hearing a couple of teams are in on Dunn.] John Maine's rotator cuff strain has the Mets looking at pitching. Graziano suggests names like Livan Hernandez, Paul Byrd, and Jarrod Washburn. The Mets have talked to the Tigers about Scott Schoeneweis. They'd have to replace him, maybe with Arthur Rhodes or Eddie Guardado. The Mariners will listen on J.J. Putz, but he won't...   Continue Reading

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Rockies Eyeing Byrd, Duchscherer

MONDAY: The Rockies won't be acquiring Arroyo, but add Cleveland's Paul Byrd to their list. Buster Olney wonders whether Byrd might clear waivers in August if need be. He has about $2.7MM left on his contract. SUNDAY: According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Rockies have inquired on A's starter Justin Duchscherer as part of their hunt for a starter. Duchscherer is under team control through '09. As you know, the Rockies also asked the Reds about Bronson Arroyo. Olney notes that GM Dan O'Dowd continues to talk to other teams about Brian Fuentes. It seems quite possible that the Rockies...   Continue Reading

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Holliday, Fuentes Trades Unlikely

SI.com's Jon Heyman spoke to Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd, who now says a trade of Matt Holliday or Brian Fuentes is "highly unlikely." He talked to multiple teams about both players, but hasn't found a match. Holliday could instead be shopped in the offseason. The Rockies are in buying mode, hoping to land a back-end starter. Heyman mentions Josh Fogg and Paul Byrd. We've also seen Justin Duchscherer and Bronson Arroyo named in reports.   Continue Reading

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More From Stark: Mets, Dodgers, Indians

Jayson Stark brings us a few more tidbits from the Hot Stove... The price for Raul Ibanez may be too high for the Mets as Stark reiterates what we heard previously, that Fernando Martinez and Jon Niese are not available...Ken Rosenthal added Robert Parnell to that list of untouchables. The Mets may no longer be in the running for Brian Fuentes as they are not willing to part with Aaron Heilman. Stark says other relief pitchers the Mets have shown some interest in include Cla Meredith, Chad Bradford and Jeremy Affeldt. The Dodgers are said to be interested in several...   Continue Reading

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Tim Brown's Latest: Peralta, McPherson, Putz

Yahoo's Tim Brown posted a new column this evening. The Nationals got an OK return for Jon Rauch, acquiring second baseman Emilio Bonifacio. That could set the pace for reasonable reliever prices. The Indians are listening on Casey Blake, Paul Byrd, and Jamey Carroll, as you know. Jhonny Peralta isn't off-limits either. Here's a new name of interest for the Dodgers: Marlins minor league third baseman Dallas McPherson. He'll be 28 soon, and carries a .287/.400/.650 line with 32 home runs in 314 Triple A at-bats. This could be the second time McPherson blasts 40 home runs in a minor...   Continue Reading

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Indians Shifting Into Sell Mode

The Indians are currently in fourth place in the AL Central, 8.5 games out. Baseball Prospectus' projections suggest their playoff chances are less than 3%. Many key players are injured. That's enough for Terry Pluto - he says we should stick a fork in the Tribe. Pluto says the Indians have been listening on C.C. Sabathia, "but nothing has been serious." The Indians are known to be scouting eight organizations as potential destinations for Sabathia, though about 20 have expressed interest. Jayson Stark says the Indians will not be offering a negotiation window to sign Sabathia. Paul Hoynes talked to...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Wolf, Indians, Ensberg

Random items for today... MLBTR live chat, today at 2pm CST. Right after I finish my corned beef sandwich. RotoAuthority takes a look at the fantasy value of Randy Wolf. On Sunday I joined the guys from Drunk Jays Fans for part of their podcast. A button to listen to the show can be found here. Paul Hoynes says the Indians' Mark Shapiro will need "at least a month to narrow the field of suitors for players such as C.C. Sabathia and Paul Byrd to see if he really wants to trade them." RotoWorld says the Yankees have released Morgan...   Continue Reading

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Gammons On Available Pitchers

ESPN's Peter Gammons names ten starting pitchers who could be available in the coming months. We'll try to devise a comprehensive list when we get to the position in our Trade Market series. Gammons' trade possibilities: Paul Byrd, Jeremy Sowers, Derek Lowe, Rich Harden, Odalis Perez, Brett Tomko, Jarrod Washburn, Zach Duke, Vicente Padilla, and Kevin Millwood. Byrd, Lowe, Perez, and Tomko will be free agents after the season. Sowers and Duke are the kids. Harden is the oft-injured ace. Washburn, Padilla, and Millwood bring burdensome contracts. Gammons also five "unlikely, but not impossible" scenarios. He suggests A.J. Burnett, Bartolo...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Victorino, Hatteberg, Paul Byrd

The Padres stuff got its own post; let's see what else Ken Rosenthal has for us today. Rosenthal thinks it makes sense for the Phillies to shop Shane Victorino for pitching, since Jayson Werth is playing well. That'd increase reliance on Geoff Jenkins, though. The Marlins expressed some interest in Victorino last year. Rosenthal expects the Reds to move Scott Hatteberg and a catcher before they get down to the more serious business of mullling offers for Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. Trading Paul Byrd would make sense for the Indians. Rosenthal says the Brewers, Braves, and Astros "likely...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Delgado, Sexson, Crisp, Byrd

Ken Rosenthal has some items worth discussing in his latest Full Count video: Trade Carlos Delgado for Richie Sexson? Rosenthal doesn't see why not. They're both in walk years, neither have a no-trade-clause, and they're both making roughly the same amount. I'll add to that by noting both have arguably met more success hitting in each other's league. The Indians may put Paul Byrd on the block in an effort to acquire pieces that could eventually lead to an upgrade at 2B or 3B later this season. The Indians currently have 7 capable starters in Sabathia, Carmona, Lee, Byrd, Westbrook,...   Continue Reading

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Indians Pick Up Options On Byrd, Borowski, Fultz

Mark Shapiro and the Indians had three option decisions to make, and today the team exercised all of them. All of these were pretty much expected to be exercised. Closer Joe Borowski gets $4MM rather than a $250K buyout. Starter Paul Byrd gets $8MM instead of a $250K buyout. Southpaw reliever Aaron Fultz gets $1.5MM instead of a $0.15MM buyout. So, $13.5MM for the trio of pitchers. Seems reasonable. Of course there's the HGH stigma with Byrd. But as a baseball decision, it's fair to expect him to pitch like a back-rotation guy worthy of a one-year, $7.75MM deal   Continue Reading

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Indians Still Keen On Byrd's Option?

A week ago, Paul Byrd's $8MM option for 2008 seemed like a no-brainer for the Tribe. He kept his ERA under 5.00, made 31 starts, and won 15 games. $8MM on a low-risk one-year deal would've been an easy decision even for the cost-conscious Indians. But now we've got a little HGH controversy on our hands. Ken Rosenthal discusses the situation over at FOX Sports. Rosenthal is correct in that Byrd never acted like someone who had something to hide. He didn't disguise his purchase of HGH in any way (though MLB didn't agree with his contention that they'd been..   Continue Reading

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Notes On Byrd, Burnett, Sosa

Today's hot stove happenings: Ken Rosenthal reports on the Cubs' interest in A.J. Burnett. This confirms our assertion from November 18th: "It's sounding more and more like the Cubs will come up with another starter to add to the stable. Then they'll deal from that depth to acquire an outfielder. GM Jim Hendry may be more inclined to make a big splash with A.J. Burnett than give a lot of money to Washburn. Unlike last season when he had to get Sammy Sosa off the books, Hendry will act early and often. The Cardinals' interest in Burnett may motivate Hendry..   Continue Reading

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Cleveland Courting Paul Byrd

Although sources have indicated the Orioles' strong likelihood of signing Paul Byrd, it seems that the pitcher is visiting Mark Shapiro in Cleveland today. I was directed by an emailer to this thread on Scout.com a few minutes ago. As a commenter mentions, putting B.J. Ryan's name in lights didn't exactly seal the deal. Regardless, the Indians' interest is for real. Byrd has looked solid pitching against current White Sox players, for what that's worth. Thanks to Eamon M   Continue Reading

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Orioles Hot Stove Hearsay

All sorts of interesting hot stove boiling in the Baltimore area. Here's the latest. Published reports have said that the Orioles have made a two-year offer to 35 year-old starter Paul Byrd. My sources are saying that Byrd is very likely to sign with Baltimore, although it may take three guaranteed years. Nomar Garciaparra at first base? The Orioles are not likely to sign Paul Konerko according to sources, and Nomar is expected to sign a one year deal with an option with the Orioles. Garciaparra would spell Melvin Mora at third and spend time at first and DH as..   Continue Reading

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